Check protector



April 16, 1929, Y M ABRAMSON 1,709,106

CHECK PROTECTOR` 'Filed April 4. 1927 f lll/1111111 7 5 BY i ATTORNEYS r substituting, for the ordinary cap,

Patented Apr. 16, 1929.

UNITED STATES MAX .ABRAMSON, OF JERSEY CTY, NEW JERSEY.

CHECK PROTECTOR.

Application filed April 4, 1927.

My invention relates to check protectors for preventing the alteration or erasure of the money values or Vamounts of checks or other valuable documents, by impressing thereon, inlring and perforating certain portions of the paper with figures corresponding to the nioney value or amount of the check or other valuable document.

in object of the invention is to provide a simple and eflicient device of this charac-- pen may be equipped with the check pro-v tector of the present invention by simply a cap having assembled therein the device of the present invention, the `substitution being made without change or alteration of any hind to the fountain pen.

Another' feature is the provision of means whereby check'proteetors of the present invention may be assembled in fountain pen caps of certain standard sizes, and fountain pens of varyingsiZeS, shapes and diameters may Vbe equipped therewith by simply attaching to the threaded portion of the fountain pen cap an adapter or nipple having a suitable sized opening to fit the particular fountain pen on which the device is desired to be used.

Another feature is the construction of a device which is self-contained and entirely enclosed, is just as positive and efficient in operation as large check protectors commonly used in'business ofices, and whic-h needs practically no attention beyond Lthe period- `ical inking of the ink roller.

1n the accompanying drawings, illustrating an embodiment of the invention and not for limitation thereof, Fig. 1 1s an ele- National view of a fountain pen equipped with a check protector of my invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a fountain pen cap showing the check protector contained therein. F ig. 3 is a plan View of the device with the platen removed.. Fig.

Serial No. 180,716.

lis a cross-sectional view on the line 4.-4, Fig. Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the device showing the platen in elevated position and with parts broken away to show the ink roller as positioned during use for inking the numerals. Fig. G is a crosssectional view of the threaded portion of the capwith 'an adapter in place to adapt the cap for use with a fountain pen of a smaller diameter'. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail sectional view on an enlarged scale showing the numeral alignment means.

In the embodiment of the invention. illustrated in the drawings, same is shown as applied to a fountain pen cap 10. The check protector mechanism is preferably assembled as a complete unit before it is placed .vi'thinY cap 10 and permamently fastened therein. Cap 10 comprises an open-ended hollow cylindrical tube having internal screw threads 12 at one end thereof adapted to engage an ordinary fountain pen body 142. Cap 10 is provided in one of its walls with an elongated opening or slot 1G beginning at the end of 10', opposite the screw threaded end 12, and extending a substantial distance longitudinally of the cap 10.

The check protecting mechanism shown comprises a series of live tubes 18, 20, 22, 24 and 2G, nested within one another and increasing in length as they decrease in diameter, from the outermost tube 18 having the largest diameter and least length to the innerniost tube 2G having the smallest diameter and greatest length. These tubes are hollow and open-ended, and are rotatable with respect to one another. Mounted on the inner end of each tube and having a force lit thereon is a substantially cylindrical printing plate 2S having its convex surface provided with a series of raised numerals 30. Mounted on the opposite or outer end of each tube, and also having a force fit thereon, is a ring 32 by which the tube is adapted to be rotated. Stationary plates 34, 36, similar to plates 28 and having'respcctively the single characters (t and & embossed thereon, are interposed in their proper placesrbetween thev rotatable plates 2S. Said stationary plates 34, 36 lit loosely over the tubos and are not adapted to be rotated, inasmuch as they each have one character intended to be used continually.

To hold the type or indicia bearing and actuating parts together as a unit, a tube 38 of relatively smallest diameter and longest length is proi'iided and passes through the innermost tube 26; Tube 38 is closed at its outer end 38*l and has an annular flange or extension 40 adapted to lie flat against the adjacent ring 32. A 'collar e2 having a force fit on the opposite end 38b of tube 3.8 comT pletes the clamping means and serves to hold the entire assembly together asia unit. A stationary plate 44, similar to plates 34, 36, having the single character 95 embossed thereon is preferably mounted on tube 38 adjacent collar 42. This yassembly unit is placed lWithin 'cap l0 so that the actuating rings 32 exteiidbeyond the end l0 of cap l0, 'and said unit is fastened therein by screws-46 passing through the Walls of cap l and screi'vetl into the stationary plates 34, 36 and 44. A v'closure plate 48 is mounted on the end l0 of cap l0 to seal same against the entry ofv dirt and foreign matter.

By 'rotating rings 32 anyfieombination of niii'iierals desired to he perforated and printed on a check may be broi'ight into operative position in register with the open slot 16 in 'cap l0, as shown in Fig. 3.

Means are provided for inling the numerals prior to impressing same upon a check brother document. vSaid means comprise a pair of channel strips 50, 50 posi` tioned one on'eachside of slot 16 and extending parallell therewith, said channels being attached to the capl0, as by rivets 54. Channel strips O1aije provided With up# Wa'rdly extending flanges 56 having elengated slots` 58 extending substantially throughfoutthe length of said flanges 56. The ends the shaft 60 carrying the ink roller 62 extend 'through slots 58 of flanges 56 -an'd serve as 'a means for actuating the roller 62. lVhen the desired combination of numerals has been brought into operative position in register `with and is exposed through opening 16 in cap l0, as above described, the ii'uinerals are inked. l his is accomplished by grasping the ends of the shaft 60 protruding beyond the slots 58, and by sliding said 'shaft 6() back and forth in the slotsv 58, the'ii'ilroller 62scarried by said vshaft 60 ijs caused to pass over and ink the faces of the numerals 30 `ex )ose'dtlirouoh vslot 16 i'n cap l0. When the device is out ofl use, the ink roller 62 is positioned adjacent :the furthest end of the channel strips 50, as

Y shown in Figs'. l, 2 and 3.

To insure tlieobtaining of a. satisfactory impression and perforation of the numerals 30 on the check, cap 1 0 is provided with a platen 64 pivotally attached thereto at 66, adapted normally to lie hat against cap 10 beti'vecn channel strips '50 and ycovering the slotlG in cap l0, as shown in Figs. l and 2.

lVlien platen 64 is elevated, as vshown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, said slot 16 is un` Y covered land the numerals 30 on the printing i plates 28 are visible therethrough. This is operative position, and to insure alignment of the type when printing, each ring 32 is provided on one ot its faces with a circular series of small'projections 68, and on its opposite face is provided With a ycircular series of indentaticns or notches 70. In this Way, When the'plates 28 are placed into assembled relation, shown in Fig; 7, the projections 68 of one plate register with the notches 70 of the next adjacent plate, the projections 68 of the secondplate register with the notches 70 of its adjacent plate and so on. The projections 68 and notches 70 vare so positioned on the plate faces and with respect to the adjacent plates that they register only when the numerals 30 on said plat-cs 28 are brought into printing or operative position in register with slot 16 of cap l0. This-feature insures perfect alignment of the numerals in operative position when printing the check. l

The operation of the device is as follows:

lVhen it is desired to fill in the amount of va check, for example, the platen 64 is elevated. from the position of Fig. Vl to that shown in dotted lines in F ig. 5, uncovering slot 16 so that the numerals 30 are visible therethrough; rings 32 are manipulated to bring into operative position in register with said slot i6 numerals 30 comprising the desired amount; ink roller 62 is moved back and forth one or more times over the faces of the exposed numerals 30 to ink them; the check is placed face down with the blank space for printing directly over slot 16; platen 64 is returned to its downward position ov-er the check and-given a light tap or pressure; the check is then Withdrawn and tie operation is completed. The'face 64 vof platen 64 is preferably madeof a hard material', such as hard rubber, so that-a light tap on the platei'iis sullicient to cause the paper ofthe check to become printed, impressed andperforated by the sharp numeralsBO on the printing plates 28. The numerals 30 are preferably slitted and are sharp-"edged, as shown in Fig. 3, to facilitate perforation of the paper. l

ln' order to enable fountain pens varying Widely in size. and shape to be Yequipped with the device of my invention and. to make it possible to construct my device in but a few vstandard sizes to equip all sizes of pens, I

threaded y.portion 74 adaptedto engage the threaded 'end l2 of cap 10, and an internally threaded portion 7 6 of diameter suitable for engagement with the particular pen body 14 to beequipped with the check vprotector of my invention. Other types of adapters, however, may loe used if desired.

Although only five rotative printing plates 28 are shown in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, and numerals are used on said printing plates, it is to be understood that a greater or lesser' number of printing plates may be used, if desired, and that instead of numerals, Words or other indicia may be provided onl the convex faces of the printing plates.

Changes and modifications may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit or scope of myV invention.

l claim:

l. A device of the character described comprising a tubular casing open at the end thereof and having a longitudinal slot at the upper side thereof, a plurality of type-bearing disks disposed transversely Within and tting said tubular casing and adapted for rotation about an axis coincident with the axis of said casing, means connected to said disks and projecting through the open end of said casing for actuating said disks, means for inking said disks, and a platen connected to the upper side of said casing and movable into registry with said .slot to cooperate With the portions of the disks exposed' therethrough.

2. A fountain pen cap having a check protector therein, comprising a plurality of rotatable type-bearing printing plates adapted for rotation coaxial with the axis of the cap, means outside of the cap for rotating said printing plates, a plurality of singlecharacter stationary printing plates adapted to be permanently fastened Within said cap,

means for inking all of said printing plates, and a platen adapted to be moved into position over the printing plates to facilitate printing.

3. A device of the character described comprising a tubular casing open at the end thereof and having a longitudinal slot at the upper side thereof, a plurality of type-bearing disks rotatably disposed Within said casing and having portions thereof exposed through said slot, means projecting through the open end of the casing for actuating said disks, guiding means disposed along said slot, an inking roller adapted to travel in said guiding means over said slot to ink the exposed portions of said disl s, and a platen connected to the upper side of said casing and movable into registry with said slot to cooperate With the exposed port-ions of said disks.

4. A check protector comprising a hollow open-ended cylindrical casing having an elongated opening in one Wall extending longitudinally of said casing, a plurality of concentrically disposed khollow tubes nested one Within the other and mounted Within said casing, said tubes beingof increasing length and decreasing diameter from the outer to the inner outer tube, a plurality of type-bearing printing plates mounted Within said casing on the ends of said tubes, a plurality of rings mounted on the opposite ends of said tubes outside of said casing for rotating said tubes andprinting plates to bring the type on said printing plates selectively into printing position before said casing opening, and means for inking said type .vhile in printing position.

5. A check protecting device in the form of a fountain pen cap adapted to be engaged with a Writing implement, said device comprising a hollow casing provided With an elongated opening in one Wall and extending longitudinally of said casing, a plurality of type-bearing printing plates positioned Within said casing and adapted to be rotated coaxially with the axis of said casing, said plates being provided on their convex surfaces with raised, sharp-edged type, means extending outside of said casing for rotating said printing plates with respect to one another and to bring the type onsaid printing plates selectively into print-- ing or operative position in register with said casing opening, an ink roller guided on said casing over said opening and adapted to be passed over the type While in printing position, and exposed through said casing opening, and a platen on said casing above said roller adapted to be moved over the type While in printing position, to facilitate printingl and perforation of said type on a check or other valuable papel'.

6. A check protector comprising a holloiv casing having an opening in one Wall, a plurality of concentrically disposed tubes nested `one Within the other and mounted Wit-hin said casing, a plurality of type-bearing printing plates mounted within said casing on the ends of said tubes, means mounted on the opposite ends of said tubes outside of said casing for rotating said tubes with respect to one another to bring the type on said printing plates selectively into operative position in register with the casing opening, a plurality of stationary printing plates each having but a single character in register With said casing opening, said stationary printing plates fitting loosely over said tubes and being permanently fastened Within said casing, means for inking the type on all of the printing plates while in operative position for printing, and a platen adapted to be moved over said type to facilitate printing.

7. A fountain pen cap havinT a check protector therein, comprising a plurality of rotatable type-bearing printing plates adapted for rotation coaxial With the axis of the cap, means outside of the cap for rotating said printing plates, a plurality of single-character stationary printing plates llO adapted to be permanently fastened Within said cap, a pair of slotted channel strips mounted on the outside surface of vsaid cap, means for inking all of said printing plates comprising an ink roller slidable in said channel slots, and a platen adapted to be moved into position over the printing plates to facilitate printing. y'

8. A check protector comprising a hollow casing havingan opening in one Wall, a plurality of concentrically ldisposed tubes nested Within the other and mounted Within said casing, a. plurality of type-bearing printing plates mounted within saidcasing on the ends ofsaid tubes, means mounted on the opposite ends of said tubes outside of said casing for rotating said tubes with respect to one another to bring the type on said printing plates selectively int-o operative position in register with the casing opening, a pluralityv of stationary printing plates, each having but a single character in register with said casing opening, said stationary print` ing plates fitting loosely over said tubes and'bein'g permanentlyr fastened within said casing, a 'clamping' member having an annular flangeon its outer end and a collar inner ondadaptedV to pass through the innermost tube and to hold the check protector assembly together las a unit, means for inking the type on all of the printing plates while in operative position for printing, and a platen adapted to be moved over said type vtO facilitatev printing;

' 9. A check protector comprising a hollow casing having an opening 1n one Wall, a plurality of rotatable typebearing printing plates adapted for rotation coaxial with the axis of the cap, means outside of the cap for rotating said printing plates, a plurality of single-character stationary printingplates adapted to be permanently fastened Within said cap, a pair ofyslotted channel strips mounted on the outside surface of said cap one oneach side of the casing opening and parallel therewith, meansffor inking all of said printing plates comprising a single roller slidable in said channel` slots, and a platen hingedly connected on the outer surface of said casing and adapted to bemoved into position over` the printing plates to facilitate printing. y

10. A device of the ,character described comprising a tubular casing open at the ends thereof and having a longitudinal slot at the upper side thereof, adjustable type-bearing inembersdisposed ywithin a portion of said casing at one end thereof and having portions exposed through said slot, means extending through the adjacent open end ot said casing for actuating said members, inking means' carried by said casing oversaid slot for inking the portions exposed therethrough, and a platen member pivoted to said 'casing and adapted to register with said slot to cooperate with the portions eX- posed therethrough; said platen member serving tofcover 'said slot and rsaid inlting means when the device is not in use.

In. testimony whereof, I have signed my name hereto.

MAX ABRAMSON. 

